Sept. 20, 2011

Box Score

Sophomore Rachel McCarthy (Reading, Mass.) scored two goals and set up another as No. 4 UMass Lowell defeated Stonehill, 4-2, Tuesday night in a Northeast-10 Conference field hockey match at Cushing Field.

The victory was the sixth straight for the River Hawks, who improved to 6-1 overall and 1-0 in the NE-10 entering Friday's non-conference clash against NAIA foe Lindenwood (Mo.) University (3:00).

With the loss, Stonehill slipped to 3-5 overall and 0-2 in the Conference. The Skyhawks visit Saint Michael's Saturday at 11:00.

UMass Lowell overcame a 1-0 deficit with three straight goals, including two just 12 seconds apart late in the first half.

Stonehill opened the scoring just 1:39 into the match when sophomore Kelsey Davis sent a penalty corner to junior M Jessica Larendeau who teed up sophomore M Devin Ingersoll for the goal.

The River Hawks found their rhythm and compiled six penalty corners and nine shot attempts before grabbing a 2-1 lead with both goals in the 29th minute. McCarthy scored her first when senior M Annie Hansbury (Plaistow, N.H.) took a corner from sophomore Ali Ferraro (Kingston, N.Y.) at the top of the circle and found McCarthy who converted from the left side of the cage.

UMass Lowell quickly regained possession off the restart as Ferraro broke down the left side and crossed to freshman M Bianca Jones (Watertown, Mass.), who finished nicely inside the right post.

The River Hawks maintained the pressure in the early minute of the second half and took a 3-1 when McCarthy scored off a give-and-go with Hansbury off a corner.

Sophomore G Melanie Hopkins (Harwich, Mass.), who had three saves, was called into action when Stonehill began to threaten midway through the half. In the 46th minute, she timed a near two-on-none break well and kicked away out of play.

In the 52nd minute, however, she was left helpless when Ingersoll's hard shot from the top of the circle was deflected in by freshman F Jennifer Foley to cut the lead to 3-2.

Stonehill nearly leveled in the 60th minute when senior F Kathryn Nelson released Foley on a breakaway, but Hopkins rushed out and smothered the attempt.

McCarthy helped close the door in the 65th minute when she broke free down the left flank and crossed to junior M Emily Painten (Walpole, Mass.) who shoveled home.

UMass Lowell outshot Stonehill 17-8 overall and 10-6 on frame. Freshman G Elizabeth Genovese stopped six shots for Stonehill.